Derek Tran

Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: Derek Tran

Current job title: US Representative from CA-45

Age: 45

Political party affiliation: Democratic

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: I have served on the board of the Consumer Attorneys Association of America and was appointed traffic commissioner for the city of Orange.

City where you reside: Orange

Campaign website or social media: derektranforcongress.com

From voter ID to war powers and from immigration to tariffs, Congress has tackled many issues over the past year. What do you, though, see as the top three issues impacting Californians, and what specifically could you do as a lawmaker to address these issues? (Please answer in 250 words or less, and keep your response to future proposals.)

As the son of Vietnamese refugees who escaped communist Vietnam in search of freedom and democracy, I strongly believe in protecting access to the American Dream. My family relied on food stamps and Section 8 housing to stay afloat. At 18, I joined the Army to begin repaying the great debt I owed this country for giving us a second chance.

In California, the American Dream is increasingly being pushed out of reach by rising costs, a broken immigration system, and concerns over crime.

The rising costs of everyday expenses are hitting California families hard at the grocery store and the gas pump. In Congress, I have spoken out against the reckless tariffs that have driven up the price of basic necessities like food, baby formula, and school supplies.

Furthermore, our immigration system is badly in need of reform. We must provide a clear path to legal status for individuals who play by the rules and contribute to our communities. At the same time, we must demand absolute accountability from ICE to ensure immigration enforcement does not target law-abiding families and is conducted humanely and strictly within the bounds of the law. Finally, crime is a top concern for our families. That is why I’m proud to have brought funding home for emergency response operations, voted to get fentanyl off our streets, and support our law enforcement officers.

Speaking of voter ID, the president has implored Congress to approve legislation that would require people to show proof of citizenship in order to vote. What role do you believe the federal government plays in telling states how to conduct their own elections, as dictated by the U.S. Constitution? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Let’s be clear, the SAVE Act would create new, unnecessary barriers to voting for millions of Americans. More than 21 million Americans will have trouble accessing the burdensome documents required to vote – especially women who have changed their last names, people of color, servicemembers and their families, and seniors. Protecting the integrity of our elections means addressing real threats like foreign interference, voter intimidation, and ensuring every legal vote is counted, not making it harder for eligible Americans to participate or illegally seizing ballots.

We should focus on practical, commonsense reforms that expand access and build trust in our democracy: making Election Day a federal holiday, implementing automatic voter registration through the DMV, encouraging early voting and vote by mail, and investing in voter education so people understand how to register and cast a ballot. The federal government’s role in our elections should be to protect voters, ensure there is no voter suppression or discrimination in our election systems, and make participation more accessible – not less.

What, in your opinion, should the federal government focus on when it comes to immigration policy? For example, do you place a priority on border security, visas for high-skilled workers, refuge for asylum seekers, etc., and why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

My community cares deeply about public safety, the rule of law, and an immigration system that is orderly and fair. I believe we need strong border security to prevent the flow of fentanyl and illicit drugs. I do not believe in and cannot accept a system where federal agents operate with impunity, sent by this Administration to terrorize our streets, kill American citizens, deport children and separate families. That is not what safety looks like. That’s why I have demanded commonsense reforms like requiring body cameras for ICE agents to ensure accountability and due process, called for the impeachment of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and opposed additional DHS funding until meaningful oversight and reforms are in place that protect Americans.

We need a balanced immigration approach: secure borders, and a fair and functional legal immigration system. I support DACA and work closely with CSU Fullerton in my district, where drastic cuts to research and development and baseless attacks on international scholars have placed a painful burden on universities and students. These attacks only stifle innovation and weaken our future workforce. As the son of refugees, I believe we have a responsibility to protect those fleeing persecution and will continue to speak out to protect political refugees. We can ensure a safe and fair path into this country, and it starts with investing in long-overdue reforms that make our immigration system work.

It’s been over a year since Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the federal government for supplemental disaster aid to help Southern California communities rebuild after the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires, but neither President Donald Trump nor Congress has acted. What would you do to push for the funding, besides writing letters to the Trump administration or the leaders of Congress? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

It’s unacceptable that Southern California families are still waiting on the federal aid they need to rebuild more than a year after the wildfires struck. I’m deeply disappointed that this Administration has decided to withhold aid to struggling California families purely for political reasons. Disaster relief–regardless of whether it is needed in a blue state or red state–is a must-pass priority.

In Congress, I have focused on delivering resources wherever possible. I have called on our congressional leadership to support California’s request for emergency relief funding in the aftermath of the fires. I co-sponsored a bill to provide homeowners in disaster-prone areas with incentives to harden their properties against wildfires. I also secured over $12 million in funding for public safety projects for our district, including emergency operations centers and fire stations. I have called for an extension of the application deadline for individual disaster assistance to accommodate fire victims who lost their means to submit applications.

Locally, my office helped Fullerton secure a $2.8 million federal grant to support the hiring of 12 new firefighters, strengthening our emergency response capacity where the majority of truck responses occur. I will continue to apply pressure and fight for resources until Southern California families get the relief they were promised – because disaster recovery should never be a partisan issue.

Do you support a ban or restriction on congressional lawmakers and their families from buying or selling individual stocks? Why or why not? And what would you propose to ensure lawmakers aren’t using their positions to engage in insider trading? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

When I’m home in Orange County, I constantly hear from constituents who have lost faith in our government because they’ve watched scandal after scandal plague corrupt politicians. I was elected to Congress to lower costs for hardworking Americans and restore trust in our government. Members of Congress should not be able to use our positions for personal financial gain, and those who attempt to do so must be held accountable. I was proud to help introduce the No Getting Rich in Congress Act, which would ban members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks and rein in corrupt practices that have put profit over people. We are all tired of seeing money flow into politicians’ pockets while our communities struggle. It’s time for a Congress that works for the people, not the wealthy few – and I’m fighting to make that a reality.

Do you support stronger regulations on pollution and carbon emissions? If so, how would you ensure those regulations aren’t overly burdensome on small businesses or lower-income families? And if not, how do you propose lawmakers protect the environment and curtail the impacts of climate change? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Protecting our environment and supporting families and small businesses are not mutually exclusive goals. As a small business owner, I understand the toll that overly burdensome regulations can take on protecting your bottom line and keeping your doors open. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I have advocated on behalf of entrepreneurs to get the resources they need to launch their small businesses and compete in the global market. I’ve cosponsored the RELIEF Act to ease the burden of tariffs on businesses of all sizes and advanced legislation to increase access to capital for small business owners.

At the same time, I support ensuring that the air we breathe and the water we drink is safe and clean for every California family. That is why I have voted against legislation that aims to dismantle federal environmental protections, voted against measures that would raise utility costs for families, and pushed back against the Trump Administration’s cuts to low-cost clean energy initiatives. I am dedicated to cost-saving clean energy initiatives and environmental protections, and have cosponsored several bills imposing restrictions on oil and gas exploration and leasing along the West Coast. I support ensuring our natural resources and communities are protected while supporting a transition to cleaner energy.

President Donald Trump has significantly increased spending for the U.S. Department of Defense. Would you, as a member of Congress, approve additional dollars for the military if the president were to ask for more funding? How would you ensure that any military spending does not end up putting the American people or national security in harm’s way? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

As an Army Veteran who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, one of my most important responsibilities is to ensure that our troops are taken care of and our military is fully prepared to defend our national security. That’s why I voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2026, supporting key provisions that strengthen military readiness, raise pay for our troops, and improve the quality of life for our servicemembers.

That being said, America’s defense budget is the largest defense budget in the world, and I believe Congress has done its job to properly fund our military. Any military spending should prioritize readiness, protect our troops, and safeguard national security – not waste taxpayer dollars. It is critical we carefully consider and deliberate proposals for new funding, demanding transparency and clear outcomes for every dollar spent. The truth is we have very real issues to tackle right here at home. Resources should be directed to help American families meet the tide of rising costs, improve our local infrastructure, protect and honor our veterans, strengthen our health care and education, and so much more. Balancing these priorities ensures that defending our country abroad does not come at the expense of Americans’ security and quality of life here at home.

I will always support a strong military, but I also believe Congress has a duty to direct resources wisely so every dollar strengthens both our national defense and the well-being of the people we serve.

Under what specific circumstances do you believe the U.S. should engage in a war? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Having served in uniform for this great country, I know there is no government decision more serious than the act of committing American lives to armed conflict. Any decision to go to war must be deliberate, limited, and grounded in clear national security objectives.

As both a veteran and the son of political refugees, I’ve seen firsthand how war not only impacts our service members, but also our global allies, our children, our economy, and our national debt. The American public must be a part of the debate, and Congress must exercise its constitutional responsibility to authorize military action. I will not accept more forever wars or conflicts without a defined mission, measurable objectives, and an exit strategy – something that has been entirely unclear in our actions in Iran thus far by this Administration.

Do you believe a president should seek congressional approval before engaging in military action overseas? Why, or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

If we take President Trump’s unilateral decision to launch strikes against Iran without prior notification or authorization from Congress as an example, military action without Congress is a dangerous overreach of executive power and undermines the constitutional system of checks and balances. In extreme emergencies, I believe there is room for the executive branch to act. The President should be able to respond quickly when dealing with a high-value target or in retaliation for an attack on US soil. But putting our military on the ground requires congressional authorization.

By taking this action without consulting a coequal branch of government, this Administration has sidelined the American people in a decision that will not only risk American lives, but disrupt the world economy. Iran is a terrorist nation-state and a threat to democracies worldwide. It is governed by a brutal regime that oppresses its people and is an enemy to the United States. However, the fact remains that this Administration’s failure to seek congressional buy-in is a reckless and dangerous pattern that threatens to ignite a full-scale war. Congress has the sole constitutional authority to declare war and that framework strengthens our national security by ensuring military action is strategically sound, legally justified, and morally accountable. If we respect the Constitution, want to protect American lives, and maintain global stability – that demands the president involve Congress before taking the nation to war.

Congress, in theory, is supposed to serve as a check on the president through budgetary, legislative and oversight powers. Do you believe Congress has fulfilled that obligation during the past two administrations, with one being a Democrat and the other a Republican? Why or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I have been deeply disappointed to see the Trump Administration acting outside of the bounds of the law and a Republican-led Congress refusing to hold this Administration accountable. From engaging this country in several armed conflicts without Congressional approval, to rubber-stamping the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in history, to reckless tariffs that threaten our small businesses and economy, Washington Republicans have failed to exercise their role as a check on the executive branch to ensure it is acting in the best interest of the United States.

It’s incumbent on all of us to get back to the real work of legislating and coming to the table on a bipartisan basis to solve our nation’s most pressing challenges. Under the last Administration, I was proud to see Congress work together on a bipartisan basis to pass meaningful legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invested in fixing our roads, expanding passenger rail, and strengthening our supply chains. Congress also passed the CHIPS and Science Act in partnership with the last Administration to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. and keep us globally competitive. Whether it’s improving the quality of life for American families or protecting our national security, we have demonstrated we can find common ground. It’s imperative we continue to do so now and into the future and put the American people over politics.

Governments around the world are increasingly considering an age ban or other restrictions on social media use among young people, citing mental health and other concerns. Should Congress adopt such restrictions? If so, what specific restrictions do you propose? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

As a father of three young children, I am concerned about their experiences using social media and how it can affect their mental health. I support meaningful safeguards to limit how companies collect and use data from minors, implementing stronger parental controls, and holding platforms accountable for failing to protect young people. We should continue to evaluate whether broader measures – like age minimums or limits during the school day – are necessary to keep young people safe.

At the same time, we must address the broader mental health care crisis and ensure young people have access to the resources they need. I have co-sponsored legislation to increase mental health providers in our schools and support increased federal funding to behavioral health clinics. Due to congressional Republicans’ cuts to our health care system, it has been increasingly difficult for facilities in Orange and Los Angeles Counties to serve our community’s needs, including mental health needs for children and seniors. I’m committed to working with our local health care systems to secure the funding and resources they need to help our communities thrive.

Statistically, violent crime rates in California are on the decline, yet residents still don’t feel safe or at ease in their communities. How do you see your role in Congress in addressing the underlying issues that make Californians feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

My parents fled the communist regime in Vietnam in search of safety and security. They saved enough to open a small corner store, and I saw firsthand what it meant to feel unsafe – sometimes having to protect the store from those who didn’t want immigrants in their community. During the Rodney King riots, I stood alongside my father to defend our store, an experience that underscored for me the importance of law enforcement and community safety.

In Congress, I‘ve focused on real public safety solutions locally. I secured over $12 million for public safety projects in our district, including for emergency operations centers and to improve our fire stations. I voted in favor of the HALT Fentanyl Act to give law enforcement more power to prosecute drug traffickers and keep fentanyl off our streets. I also support increasing funding to hire more law enforcement officers, enhance community policing initiatives, improve mental health services, and reduce homelessness.

There are term limits to serve in the California Legislature, but none to serve in Congress. Would you advocate for term limits for House members? Why or why not? If you support term limits, how many years maximum should a House member be allowed to serve? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

As an Army veteran and workers’ rights attorney, I have dedicated my life toward service and I am now honored to serve in Congress on behalf of Orange County families. Simply put, I am not a career politician and never will be. I have always believed that Washington works best when it is filled with people who have lived and worked in the real world, not just in the halls of power. The American people are clearly frustrated with business as usual–and that is all the more reason to ensure that we continue to bring fresh voices to the table. Whether it’s through term limits or ensuring we have more veterans, small business owners, and people of color in office, it’s critical we don’t let the status quo paralyze us and we make way for the next generation of leaders who want to serve their community. Our democracy depends on diverse voices and people who want to make a difference.

What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I was a cook in the Army, and I was trained to cook enough to feed a whole unit. A little-known talent of mine is that I cook for the whole family on big holidays and gatherings!